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uncertainty reduction theory application
uncertainty reduction theory application
criticism of uncertainty reduction theory
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Analysis of the Uncertainty Reduction Theory on Interpersonal Communication
Through this paper I will conduct an analysis of the uncertainty reduction theory and will then apply it to my own experience here in Colorado university.
This theory has been subject to many articles and studies in the communication and social departments. Indeed, studying this theory can help us understanding human relations in interpersonal communication. Each of us has been one day confronted to uncertainty, whereas in initial encounters, or moving to a new a new place, or beginning a new work.
This theory is particularly
important for me as I experienced high uncertainty when I first arrived here in Colorado. When everything and everybody is unknown for you, you deeply try to reduce this uncertainty by all the ways possible.
Human, by nature doesn´t like the unknown, and he has this innate will and motivation to reduce in order to feel more comfortable
and at ease. It´s particularly
true for initial encounters where there is a mutual high levels of uncertainty "When strangers meet, their primary concern is one of uncertainty reduction or increasing predictability about the behavior of both themselves and the others in the interaction"(Berger and Calabrese). According to Charles Berger, we all experience some deal of anxiety during initial encounters because we are unable to predict or control how the relationship will progress. That is why most of us develop an innate wish and desire to seek information in order to reassure oneself and to feel more secure.
The main focus of this theory is that peope seek information to reduce uncertainty in order to create a more predictable and controlled relationship. The most common way of reducing uncertainty is via information-seeking. There are three basic ways people seek information about another person:
· By using passive strategies which involves the observation of the others without mahing them aware of it. It can be like paying atention to what this persin is wearing, with whom he/she interacts...I would say that this strategy is more accurate for younger people, who are shyer and though hesitate in entering in direct contact.
· By using active strategies which involve "manipulative tactics and asking third parties information about this person. These parties can give you precious information that will help in future interaction with the person you like.
· By using interactive strategies which involve direct contact with the person. For me, this is the more effective as it gives you the opportunity to gather many information and to really see if there is interaction between you and the person.
Barry begins his account with contrasting the strength of certainty and the weakness of uncertainty to better define the term uncertainty. This sophisticated antithesis initiates a contrast between the
In a group setting, these techniques can be applied by using your posture in your seat to show the speaker that you are engaged and actively listening. In a small group setting, it may be possible to interject with the speaker. If so, you can take the opportunity to paraphrase what he or she may be saying to ensure that you are on the same page. In a larger group setting, it may be necessary to use paraphrasing and probing at the same time, when the opportunity is presented to asks
There are a few methods, or strategies, of figuring out what the other person likes: passive, active, and interactive. In the passive strategy, you try to find out the other person's interests through observation from afar. This happens without their knowledge, because you're trying to figure out what they're like without influencing their decisions. The second strategy is called the active strategy. For this, there is interaction between you and someone else that is not the person you're finding information about. For example, you talk to the person's friends to find out what they're like. Of course, this has the drawback of possibly obtaining incorrect informat...
4) Assert your own interests and needs in terms of the other person's perspective and story. The other person now listens to you because you first listened to them.
Uncertainty refers to how well you can accurately predict how strangers will behave during their initial interaction and the ability to explain the strangers' behavior. Research on uncertainty reduction theory has been limited to attitude similarity. However, it has been argued that in order to understand the influence of similarity on interpersonal relations, research must examine cultural similarity/dissimilarity also. This term refers to how similar and/or different the cultures are from which the communicators come.
When witnessing strangers meeting for the first time, it becomes quickly obvious that these individuals are uncomfortable with each other, and begin to go through processes to ease this discomfort. This process is attributed to the Uncertainty Reduction Theory, which states that uncertainty is a negative experience that requires elimination in order for relationships to continue and grow (Theiss & Solomon). The reason why there is such a fight against uncertainty is because of the emotional toll that it takes upon individuals. Uncertainty has been linked to negative emotions, including anxiety, and can cause difficulty in the adaptation to new environments and events (Gilbert, 2005). It can be therefore assumed that completely eradicating
When becoming attracted to other person, there are multiple way to have a connection. The first method is through the mere-exposure effect. Another technique towards attraction is known as proximity. Finally, the last way to connect with another person is by having a matching phenomenon. When using these three practices, a connection will be easily created.
them in any way. I learned if I approached very quietly, advancing just a few
The purpose of this paper is not to teach you, or to show you how interpersonal communication is essential to everyday life at home or work. But, I am going to do my best to at least show you how essential communication skills are in all areas of life by using me as the example. My plan is to focus on some of the elements of interpersonal communication that we have been touching on this semester. While reading our Interpersonal Communications Book, three goals kept being highlighted that I personally wanted to accomplish by the end of course. I’m sure that by now have noticed that I keep referring to my topics as goals. The reason why I’m doing so is because I’m still on that learning curve…an ongoing process. If can recall back to all of our assignment in this course they all bring one collective point. That point is that, Interpersonal communication is an essential skill in everything that we do in life.
Uncertainty avoidance refers to the extent a culture has programmed its members to remain comfortable or uncomfortable in unstructured or structured situation. This dimension refers to how a culture teaches people to handle uncertainty and stress. It is measures using the uncertainty index.
My perception of myself as being introverted and lacking confidence shows in my behaviour and mannerisms during communication with others. In my everyday life I show signs of nervousness while engaging in conversation or other types of communication. For example, I avoid confronting others because of uncertainty of the situation that may arise following confrontation. My nonverbal communication suffers in some areas because of my self-concept as well. In feedback I received during the lab activity “speed dating”, I need to work on making and maintaining eye contact and keeping open body language. According to Belcher, eye contact is especially important because it can either reinforce or diminish our verbal communication (2014). Another common comment was that I need to work on trying the “confrontation” skill. This is consistent with my own observations. Feedback from seminar activities states interpersonal communication skills I am good at include active listening (clarifying and repeating what someone has said), asking open ended questions, and making sure the “client” knows I comprehend them. In communication with others, I need to work on my nonverbal communication cues. However, I am able to engage in active listening, and convey a good understanding of what is being said to
The final stage of introduction is conversation. The exchange is generally mechanical, and will follow some loose rules. We exchange names and affiliations, and will then move on to interests or areas of business. This stage doesn’t change much in each social interaction and is an attempt to find common ground. As each individual finds similarities or subjects to which they can relate, they will become more comfortable with each other. The first impression has at this point been formed and we now carry that general idea of that person in our heads as we remember them, or meet them again....
Nonverbal communication affects your how people communicate with you. When using nonverbal communication make eye contact when speaking to the person, this show you are focused on the person and the
The first concept I used was responsive listening, responsive listening is giving your complete undivided attention, while letting the other person get a chance to speak freely and openly, while the person listening provides only small interjections and nonverbal listening cues while sometimes paraphrasing to show that you have fully been aware. I choose this concept because I felt like sometimes I dominate the conversation with my brother and I decided to just give him complete undivided attention and a chance to talk. I was picking up my brother from school, and from the start he seemed to be...